Finally a voice of authority announced, "These are planned. Our last day is almost gone and our work for the year is ended."
"Wait a moment," said another voice. "There is Taro. Again he is left. Cannot we find a maiden for him?"
The youth's heart gave a bound, for he was Taro.
"Oh, troublesome!" impatiently cried a god. "Again comes that name!"
"We need not haste. He has no one to arrange for him," said another.
"His name must go uncoupled for another year," came from a distant corner. "There is no maiden left."
"Wait!" spoke the first voice. "In Chestnut Village a girl has just been born in the house of the village master. The family is of higher class, but let us give her to Taro. Then our work will be done."
"Yes! yes!" cried all the gods. "Put the names together and we will hasten to the duties of our own shrines."
"Our work for the year is ended," spoke the voice of authority.